Michigan Football: Recapping the Biggest 2016 Offseason News So Far

Jim Harbaugh's return to his alma mater reinvigorated Michigan football last year, and that success has helped the program remain in the news during the 2016 offseason.

Michigan is widely considered a leading contender for both the Big Ten championship and the College Football Playoff next season.

But only a brief portion of the offseason headlines actually deal with on-field matters, which came in spring practice. Otherwise, Harbaugh has stirred up reactions that sparked faux controversies, while personnel changes and recruiting news highlight the other significant developments for Michigan.

Coaching Changes

Though the offense was productive down the stretch, the defense carried the team in 2015. The Wolverines finished the year with one of the nation's best units.

Category	Total Defense	Pass	Rush	Scoring	3rd-Down %	Red-Zone TD %
Average	280.7	158.5	122.2	16.4	27.6	41.2
Rank (of 128)	4	3	16	6	3	6

Major successes can lead to considerable change, however.

Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin accepted his first (and well-deserved) head coaching gig, heading to Maryland. In his place, Harbaugh tabbed Don Brown.

Brown has spent his entire coaching career in the Northeast, including 21 years as a coordinator, his most recent stint at Boston College. Last season, the Eagles managed just a 3-9 record yet boasted the No. 1 defense while allowing a mere 15.3 points per game.

Durkin also oversaw the linebackers, so Michigan promoted Chris Partridge from a player personnel director to position coach. He also replaced special teams coach John Baxter, who returned to USC after spending one year in Ann Arbor.

Safeties coach Greg Jackson initially followed Harbaugh from the San Francisco 49ers but ventured back to the NFL ranks when the Dallas Cowboys reached out.

The Wolverines then hired Brian Smith—who spent 2015 with the Philadelphia Eagles and the previous eight coaching the New York Jets—to complete the game-day staff.

Michigan Lands Rashan Gary, No. 5 Class

Heading into national signing day, Michigan had the makings of an excellent haul. Following the commitment of No. 1 overall prospect Rashan Gary, Harbaugh solidified a top-five class.

Rated No. 5 in 247Sports' composite rankings, the Wolverines signed their second-best class since 2005. Only the 2013 group—which finished No. 4 and features a slew of expected starters this year—ranked higher during that span.

Gary—along with 4-stars Lavert Hill and Devin Asiasi—pledged to and signed with Michigan on that day.

Other top-100 talents were Ben Bredeson, Brandon Peters, David Long, Michael Onenwu and Kareem Walker. Seven players—led by Peters and Walker—enrolled early.

While Michigan wrapped up the 2016 class, the 2017 group started taking shape.

Five-star Dylan McCaffrey headlines what is currently the seventh-best class. Eight other prospects committed, including 4-stars Josh Ross, Corey Malone-Hatcher and O'maury Samuels.

The Wolverines are off to a respectable start on the trail.

Spring Practice Recap

Ralph Russo/Associated Press

Harbaugh has been the focal point of both major offseason non-troversies.

First, he took the team to IMG Academy in Florida for a week of spring practice. Coaches—particularly from the ACC and SEC—were essentially upset that Harbaugh held the workouts in a fertile recruiting ground at a powerhouse high school program.

Plus, detractors cited unneeded stresses on student-athletes, who were forced to travel from 32-degree Ann Arbor to 75-degree weather during spring break.

"No one asked us about it," tight end Jake Butt said, according to Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press, later adding, "We're away, we're down here in Florida, beautiful territory, sunshine, not too hot, nice breeze, eating great food with our brothers. I don't have anything negative to say about it."

What happened on the field certainly wasn't as entertaining, but several notable events occurred—or didn't, which is equally as important.

Though no quarterback separated himself completely, Wilton Speight and John O'Korn edged ahead as the leaders in the competition. Two-year starting left tackle Mason Cole shifted to center, and Grant Newsome took over on the outside.

Jabrill Peppers moved from defensive back to outside linebacker. Channing Stribling performed so well that Harbaugh said the cornerback is "set in stone" as a starter, per Josh Henschke of Scout.

Perhaps more importantly, though, no player suffered a long-term injury. Michigan enters the summer with a largely healthy roster, which is an underrated plus.

Fun With Satellite Camps

Secondly, Harbaugh and Co. are in the process of completing a tour of satellite camps that is composed of 39 stops, per Snyder.

It almost didn't happen.

After some whining from coaches and administrators—again, particularly from the ACC and SEC—the NCAA banned the camps. Just 20 days later, the governing body rescinded the decision.

So the tour is underway and includes sessions alongside Nick Saban and Alabama as well as Georgia and Kirby Smart, two of several coaches who initially reacted negatively.

The offseason can be a quiet time, but as long as Harbaugh is running around the country throwing on a variety of jerseys—or shade on Twitter—Michigan has a secure place in the headlines.

All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from CFBStats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.